The South East Governors Forum on Sunday unveiled an economic integration blueprint for the region.
Top on the plan is the resolve to construct a ring road covering a total area of 450 kilometres to connect all the states in the zone.
The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, who read the communiquA� of the state chief executives after their meeting at the Government House, Enugu, said that the road would promote economic development of the zone and ease the transportation problems encountered in the region.
Governor Umahi said that the Forum took presentations for gas pipelines in the South East and advised the consultants to follow up on details of the implementation, especially as it relates to the right-of-way.
He said: “The forum commended presentation on Aba Independent Power Project by Prof. Bart Nnaji and asked him to liaise with the Secretariat for further implementation with the Presidency.
“We received presentations on several issues, especially from the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), on the assessment of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and others for effective performance,” he said.
Umahi explained further that a private business enterprise presented to the governors a lottery business proposal in the South East states and that the forum advised the organisation to reach out to agencies and stakeholders concerned and report back.
The forum expressed deep appreciation to the governors and the people of the South East for the role they played in giving former Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, a befitting burial and enjoined them to continue in that spirit to move the South East forward.
Among the governors who attended the meeting were Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere, who represented Imo Governor, Rochas Okorocha. Nothing was said regarding the absence of the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano.
Govs unveils ring road for 5 S/East states From Maurice Okafor Enugu
